Protective container for clothing

ABSTRACT

A protective container for clothing formed as a box having a slot in its top wall to receive the shank of a clothes hanger, inwardly projecting resilient flanges on the lower opposite sidewall portions of the box for engaging the sleeves of a garment, inwardly projecting arms on the sidewalls above the fingers, and plate elements on the inner ends of the arms for supporting engagement beneath the lapels of the garment.

[45a Sept. 19, 1972 [54] PROTECTIVE CONTAINER FOR FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,101,639 4/1955 France..............

CLOTHING [72] Inventor: Timothy Graham, 1811 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News v 23607 Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer April 16, 1971 [21] Appl. NO.: 134,896

Attorney-Herman, Davidson and Berman [22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT A protective container for clothing formed as a box Related US. Application Data [63] Substitute for Ser. No. 433,927, Feb. 19, 1965.

having a slot in its top wall to receive the shank of a clothes hanger, inwardly projecting resilient flanges on the lower opposite sidewall portions of the box for engaging the sleeves of a garment, inwardly projecting arms on the sidewalls above the fingers, and plate elements on the inner ends of the arms for supporting engagement beneath the lapels of the garment.

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[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 2,656,914 10/1953 Gordon....... .......206/7 A PROTECTIVE CONTAINER FOR CLOTHING This is a substitute application for applicants abandoned application, Ser. No. 433,927, filed Feb. 19, 1965.

This invention relates to clothing receptacles, and more particularly to a protective container for wearing apparel, such as mens suit coats, or the like, to protect.

such garments from becoming undesirably flattened or creased during transportation or storage.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved protective container for clothing such as mens suits, or the like, the container being relatively simple in construction, being compact in size, and being provided with means for suitably supporting gar ments therein and for preventing such garments from similar garments, said container being provided with retaining means adapted to engage the sleeves of such garments to hold the sleeves stationary in the container and also being provided with adjustable means for engagement beneath the lapels of the garments to support the lapels and to prevent them from becoming flattened.

A still further object of the invention isto provide an improved protective container for garments such as mens suits, or the like, the container being further provided with shelf means for supporting additional articles of clothing therein, such as shirts, or the like, so that said additional articles can be transported and stored along with the suits or suit coats housed in the container and can be protected against wrinkling or soiling.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved protective container constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown in open position.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross sectionalview taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the lapel-supporting assemblies employed in the protective container of FIG. 1, the assembly being shown with its parts in separated positions.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical cross sectional view taken through the adjustable joint between the two segments of the lapel-supporting assembly of FIG. 3, the segments being shown in joined relationship.

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the front plateJike interior support member employed in the garment receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 77 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rear plate-like internal support member employed in the garment container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the protective container in closed position, ready for transportation or storage.

Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates an improved protective clothing container constructed in accordance with the present invention, the container comprising a box-like mainreceptacle 12 provided at one longitudinal edge thereof with a cover 13 which is integrally connected to the main receptacle at the crease hinge portion 14, as shown. The cover 13 is provided with a lip or flange 15 adapted to engage over the margins of the top wall 16, the side wall 17 and the bottom wall 18 of the main receptacle 12 when the cover is in its closed position. Thus, the cover 13 is swingable around the axis of the hinge defined by the crease 14 between the cover 13 and the side wall 19 of main receptacle 12.

The top wall 16 is formed at its intermediate portion with a transversely extending slot 20 opening at the free edge of said top wall, said slot receiving the shank portion 21 of the hook 22 of a conventional hanger 33, of the type provided with a cross bar 34 adapted to support a pair of trousers. As shown in FIG. 9, the hook shank 21 is locked in the inner end portion of the slot 20 by the lip or flange 15 of the cover 13 when said cover is in closedposition.

Secured to the inside surfaces of the lower portions of the side walls 17 and 19 of the main receptacle, as by suitable cement, or the like, are respective inwardly projecting resilient finger assemblies 24, 24, comprising plate-like members of resilient plastic material, or the like, formed with longitudinal slots 25', defining vertically spaced resilient fingers 26. The fingers 26 are adapted to engage over and retain the sleeves 27 of a suit coat 28, or similar garment supported on the hanger 33 in the box-like main receptacle 12, as shown in dotted view in FIG. 1. Thus, the fingers 26 are of sufficient length to extend over the sleeves 27 and to hold said sleeves in proper position to avoid the formation of undesired creases on the garment 28 during the trans portation or storage of the receptacle 11 containing such garment.

The finger assemblies 24 are secured to the side walls 17 and 19 at substantially the same heights of the bottom wall 18, and at opposing locations on said side walls.

Secured to the inside surfaces of the side walls 17 and 19 at the intermediate portions thereof and substantial distances above the finger assemblies 24 are respective brackets 29, 29. Hinged to said brackets for swinging movement on vertical axes are respective inwardly extending arms 30, 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the brackets 29 are located adjacent the forward edges of the sidewalls l7 andv 19, and the arms 30, 30 are swingable outwardly to positions projecting substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the receptacle 12, as shown in dotted view in FIG. 2.

Each of the arms 30 is provided at its free end with a reduced bar element 36 formed at its top edge with serrations 37. Designated at 35, 35 are respective arm extensions which are arcuately curved and which are provided with longitudinal recesses 31 at their inner end portions in which the bar elements 36 are slidably receivable. Secured in the top walls of the recesses 31 are respective locking springs 32 which are lockingly engageable with the serrations 37, as shown in FIG. 4,

whereby the extensions 35 may be locked in adjusted positions relative to the associated bar members 30.

- Rigidly secured to the end of each arm extension 35 is a plate-like inclined supporting bar 39 which is arcuately curved in transverse cross section and which is oriented at an angle substantially parallel to the angle of the ad jacent coat lapel 40 when the garment is disposed in the receptacle 12 in the manner illustrated in dotted view in FIG. 1. The inclined plate-like support members 39 are thus adjustable to engage beneath the lapels 40 of the garment to support the lapels and to prevent them from being flattened or wrinkled.

Designated at 41 is a first downwardly flaring platelike rigid member of thin, suitably rigid sheet material, provided at its bottom end with a pair of depending vertical prongs 42, 42, located respectively adjacent the lower bottom corners of the member 41, and provided at its top end with a yoke-shaped frame member 45 which projects horizontally, namely, substantially at right angles to the plane of the plate-like member 41. The .yoke member 45 comprises the spaced parallel fingers 46, 46 connected by a cross bar 47, the fingers 46 being bent at right angles to the parallel rod-like elements 48, 48 which are rigidly secured to the top marginal portion of the member 41, as shown in FIG. 6. The prongs 42, 42 are receivable in upstanding rubber sleeves 44, 44 cemented to the bottom wall 18 of receptacle 12, and the end portions of the fingers 46, 46 are similarly receivable in horizontal rubber sleeves 49, 49 cemented to the top portion of the rear wall 50 of the main receptacle 12. The prongs 42' and the fingers 46 are held in their associated sleeves merely by friction, so that the member 41 is readily removable, when desired, and can be easily replaced in the receptacle 12. The yoke-like frame 45 is engageable around the shank 21 of hook 22 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. and 7. Designated at 53 is a second downwardly flaring plate-like member similar to the member 41 and adapted to be disposed in the main receptacle 12 between the plate-like member 41 and the rear wall 50 thereof, as shown in FIG. 5. The member 53 is provided at its bottom end with the spaced horizontally extending hook elements 54, 54 which are engageable around the sleeves 44, 44, as shown in FIG. 5, and the member 53 is provided at its top end with the horizontally extending frame-like structure 55 which includes the horizontal hook element 56 engageable around the shank 21 of the hanger hook 22. Thus, the hook 56 may be engaged around the hanger hook shank 21 subjacent the yoke-like frame element 45 of the first plate member 41. Thus, with the parts arranged in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5, namely, with the plate-like members 53 and 41 mounted in the receptacle in opposing relationship, substantially parallel to the rear wall 50, a space is defined between the members 41 and 53, the hanger 33 being receivable in the top portion of said space, and a pair of trousers supported on the cross bar 34 being likewise receivable in said space, and therefore being protected by the opposing rigid plate-like members 41, 53. Said members are preferably arcuately curved in transverse cross sectional shape, as shown in FIG. 2, with their convex surfaces outermost so as to define a generally oval space therebetween.

The innermost plate-like member 53 is provided with a plurality of horizontally extending shelf elements 60, which may be employed to support additional articles of clothing, such as folded shirts, or the like, so as to protect such additional articles from being wrinkled or soiled.

As previously mentioned, the lip or flange 15 of the cover 13 holds the hook 22 of the coat hanger 33 in the inner portion of the slot 20, the cover being held closed by any suitable means, such as by being tied, taped, or otherwise fastened in closed position. To remove a garment housed in the container, the cover is opened and the arms 30 are swung to their forwardly projecting dotted view positions of FIG. 2, releasing the lapels of the garment. The top fingers 46, 46 may be then disengaged from their rubber sleeves 49, the bottom prongs 42, 42 may be disengaged from their rubber sleeves 44, and the hook elements 54 may be disengaged from the rubber sleeves 44, allowing the garments and coat hanger to be removed from the main receptacle, along with the plate members 41, 53. The jacket 28 may be removed, after which the plate members 41, 53 may be separated, providing access to the trousers suspended from the cross bar 34. The separation of the plate-like members 41, 43 also provides access to the shirts or other garments supported on the shelf members 60.

The garments may be replaced in the main receptacle 12 by following a procedure reverse to that above described for removing said garments.

As above mentioned, the lapel supporting elements 39 are suitably inclined and are arcuately curved so as to supportingly underlie the respective lapels 40, 40 of a jacket 28 disposed in the receptacle 12, the extensions 35 being adjustable so as to assure proper positioning of the lapel-supporting elements 39 beneath the lapels.

While a specific embodiment of an improved protective container for clothing has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A protective container for clothing comprising a box-like main receptacle having a slot in its top end wall to receive the shank portion of the hook of a clothes hanger, whereby a jacket on the clothes hanger is receivable in the receptacle, inwardly projecting sleeve-engaging resilient finger means on the lower portions of the opposite sidewalls of the receptacle, respective inwardlyprojecting arms on said sidewalls above the finger means, and plate elements on the inner ends of said arms supportingly engageable beneath the lapels of the jacket.

2. A protective container for clothing according to claim 1, wherein said plate elements are inclined so as to be substantially parallel to and supportingly engageable beneath the jacket lapels.

3. A protective container for clothing according to claim 2, wherein said plate elements are arcuately curved in transverse cross sectional shape.

4. A protective container for clothing according to claim 2, wherein respective extensions are adjustably secured on said arms, and said inclined plate elements are secured on the ends of said extensions to supportingly engage beneath the lapels of the jacket.

5. A protective container for clothing according to claim 4, wherein a first downwardly flaring plate-like member is detachably mounted in said receptacle substantially parallel to the rear wall of the receptacle, horizontal yoke means on the top end of said plate-like member adapted to receive said shank portion, a second downwardly flaring plate-like member disposed between the first plate-like member and said rear wall, means to detachably connect the lower end of said second plate-like member to the receptacle, and horizontal hook means on the top end of said second plate-like member engageable around said shank portion, said plate-like members being spaced to receive the lower portion of the hanger therebetween and to define an enclosure receiving trousers suspended on said lower portion.

6. A protective container according to claim 5, wherein said plate members are positioned so as to be received within a jacket suspended on the clothes hanger.

7. A protective container according to claim 6, wherein is additionally provided horizontal shelf means on at least one of the plate-like members extending in the space between said plate-like members.

8. A protective container according to claim 7, wherein said receptacle is provided with a hinged cover having a lip engageable over said top wall and retaining said shank portion in the slot when the cover is in closed position. 

1. A protective container for clothing comprising a box-like main receptacle having a slot in its top end wall to receive the shank portion of the hook of a clothes hanger, whereby a jacket on the clothes hanger is receivable in the receptacle, inwardly projecting sleeve-engaging resilient finger means on the lower portions of the opposite sidewalls of the receptacle, respective inwardly projecting arms on said sidewalls above the finger means, and plate elements on the inner ends of said arms supportingly engageable beneath the lapels of the jacket.
 2. A protective container for clothing according to claim 1, wherein said plate elements are inclined so as to be substantially parallel to and supportingly engageable beneath the jacket lapels.
 3. A protective container for clothing according to claim 2, wherein said plate elements are arcuately curved in transverse cross sectional shape.
 4. A protective container for clothing according to claim 2, wherein respective extensions are adjustably secured on said arms, and said inclined plate elements are secured on the ends of said extensions to supportingly engage beneath the lapels of the jacket.
 5. A protective container for clothing according to claim 4, wherein a first downwardly flaring plate-like member is detachably mounted in said receptacle substantially parallel to the rear wall of the receptacle, horizontal yoke means on the top end of said plate-like member adapted to receive said shank portion, a second downwardly flaring plate-like member disposed between the first plate-like member and said rear wall, means to detachably connect the lower end of said second plate-like member to the receptacle, and horizontal hook means on the top end of said second plate-like member engageable around said shank portion, said plate-like members being spaced to receive the lower portion of the hanger therebetween and to define an enclosure receiving trousers suspended on said lower portion.
 6. A protective container according to claim 5, wherein said plate members are positioned so as to be received within a jacket suspended on the clothes hanger.
 7. A protective container according to claim 6, wherein is additionally provided horizontal shelf means on at least one of the plate-like members extending in the space between said plate-like members.
 8. A protective container according to claim 7, wherein said receptacle is provided with a hinged cover having a lip engageable over said top wall and retaining said shank portion in the slot when the cover is in closed position. 